Saturday, December 17, 2011

Sex, Fey, and Vamps, Oh My

You know you've truly found a good book, when you can’t help but immerse yourself fully, until all reality completely falls away and there’s nothing left but the imaginary world between the pages. In reading this book, I almost forgot about my little world and anything lying beyond the book in my hands. Lovely.

A little more Days of Your Lives (Paranormal style) at the beginning, but overall one of the better followups I’ve read in quite some time. Actually, I thought it was even better than the first. Comparatively, I still noticed a few mistakes, but it's still better polished overall. It also seemed more humorous, sometimes to the point of crudeness, but I took it in stride because it was still quite funny. This book also flowed better, even more engaging (if that’s possible), and the story itself left me breathless, which was the true reason why I liked it so much. That, and it doesn't exactly follow the same old Hero's journey paradigm.

Before I get to the plot, I highly suggest anyone who hasn’t yet read the first book, to start there. This isn’t a standalone, and anyone attempting to read it as such, will be utterly disappointed and confused.

The followup to Love is Darkness starts off exactly where the first book ends, which is sort of a rarity, if you ask me. I especially liked the expanded world building and flashbacks involving the fey.

Word of warning. This one has way more sex than most PNRs even, but I would still be hesitant to classify this solely as a PNR. Contending with the heavy sexual and romantic theme is the heart of this book's story. The Fey are a long died out race, or so everyone thought. The Fey King has waited centuries for his chance at vengeance, and he's intending to get it at all cost. The fey subplot is actually pretty interesting and balances out the romantic/vamp subplot quite nicely.

My second caution is to those who despise cliffhangers. I would suggest holding off until the next book gets released, because this one is a doozy.

******

After a lot of swearing and only a little nookie, Valerie Dearborn has decided to make a change. No more lusting after Lucas, the hot, but emotionless, vampire king who can’t commit. Instead she’s going to make it work with Jack. After all, not only is he breathing, but he’s the love of her life….Isn’t he?

Valerie is an Empath, with supernatural abilities that seem to do nothing more than give her the hots for Lucas. Once upon a time, Empath’s had a purpose. They were ambassadors to the Others—Fey, Witches, Werewolves and Vampires. They could settle the emotions of a Werewolf and make Vampires feel again.

But that was long ago.

Lucas isn’t about to let Valerie go. He needs her to help him find the Fey, last seen in the Colony of Roanoke, South Carolina, circa 1587. He still believes they are the key to restoring balance to the world and the only way to keep vampires under control. They won’t trust him, but they will trust Val.
Between Jack, Lucas and Rachel, Val knows life won’t be dull. Nor will it be the normal, 2.5 kids kind of life she’s always wanted.

As their enemies close in, Val must ask herself what life is really about–trust, duty or mind-blowing orgasms? And even if she finds the answer, she may not live long enough to enjoy it.

-Currently Reading-

I was pretty excited to read this latest spinoff, especially with its enthusiastic start that featured carnies and a sassy girl who can both electrify and glean information with her right hand. I also liked the chemistry right from the ...

An extremely well played out who-done-it overall. I give the romance in these books a solid B+ and the mystery an A-, even though I guessed who the killer was about halfway through the first book. Even with the early prediction, the en...

This whole series has been a surprise. I've enjoyed each book, and I can say safely say that these books are truly addictive. I enjoyed this book, but I don't think I liked it as much as the first. However, with entirely no wasted spac...

4 1/2 stars
This book is quite a departure from my usual reads. Thanks Heather for suggesting it. I couldn't quite tear myself away from it until I reached the very end. This had one of the best mix of mystery, thrilling-tense drama,...

An impressionable young lady with little to no self-worth, and a sadistic and selfish man, who is 10yrs her senior, is the perfect setup for a bit of heartbreak.
Marcie has been in love with her uncle Ben, a friend of the family and c...